Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, says his administration remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to improve disaster response and resilience in the state.
Lawal spoke on Monday at the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and the launch of NEMA’s new strategic frameworks in Abuja.
The event, themed ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disaster’, brought together stakeholders from across Nigeria and was led by Kashim Shettima, the vice-president, who officially launched NEMA’s five-year strategic plan (2025–2029), the disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy (2025–2030), and the action plan (2025–2028).
In a statement by Sulaiman Bala Idris, his spokesperson, Lawal commended NEMA for its dedication to improving Nigeria’s disaster management systems.
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He urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and develop sustainable funding mechanisms for disaster risk reduction.
“Disasters occur in a vicious cycle where one disaster fuels another. Our experience underscores the saying that no risk is truly isolated; it is interconnected, and managing it requires a strategic approach,” Lawal said.
“The theme of today’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,’ must be transformed into concrete plans.
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“To ensure sustainability, it is crucial to build resilience in funding, as disaster management is a dynamic and evolving process.”
Lawal noted that Zamfara faces several natural and man-made challenges, including insecurity, fires, mining shaft collapses, floods, displacement, and the effects of climate change.
“The Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) has been granted greater powers to enhance its emergency response,” he said.
“We are integrating disaster risk management into governance through early warning systems, community engagement, and institutional reforms, as we believe systemic resilience starts at the sub-national level.”
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The governor also appreciated President Bola Tinubu and Shettima for their leadership and support.
He commended Zubaida Umar, NEMA’s director-general, for her efforts in strengthening national disaster preparedness and co-ordination.
